Potential Roles of α-amylase in Alzheimers Disease: Biomarker and Drug Target

Alzheimers disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is pathologically characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β plaques and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. In a neurodegenerative brain, glucose metabolism is also impaired and considered as one of the key features in AD patients....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current neuropharmacology 2022-01, Vol.20 (8), p.1554-1563
Main Authors: Chen, Win Ning, Tang, Kim San, Yeong, Keng Yoon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alpha-Amylases - metabolism
alpha-Amylases - therapeutic use
Alzheimer Disease - metabolism
Amyloid beta-Peptides - metabolism
Biomarkers
Brain - metabolism
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Glucose - metabolism
Glucose - therapeutic use
Humans
Neurology
Plaque, Amyloid
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Summary:Alzheimers disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is pathologically characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β plaques and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. In a neurodegenerative brain, glucose metabolism is also impaired and considered as one of the key features in AD patients. The impairment causes a reduction in glucose transporters and the uptake of glucose as well as alterations in the specific activity of glycolytic enzymes. Recently, it has been reported that α-amylase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, is present in the human brain. The enzyme is known to be associated with various diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and hyperamylasaemia. With this information at hand, we hypothesize that α-amylase could have a vital role in the demented brains of AD patients. This review aims to shed insight into the possible link between the expression levels of α-amylase and AD. Lastly, we also cover the diverse role of amylase inhibitors and how they could serve as a therapeutic agent to manage or stop AD progression.
ISSN:1570-159X
1875-6190
DOI:10.2174/1570159X20666211223124715